Summary
The objective of this procedure is to show you how to wash, polish and detail a vehicle using the appropriate methods. You should always follow MSDS, HAZMAT and other related product information when storing any hazardous material.
Part 1. Preparation and safety
Objective
- Wash, polish and detail a vehicle using the appropriate methods.
Personal safety
Whenever you perform a task in the workshop you must use personal protective clothing and equipment that is appropriate for the task and which conforms to your local safety regulations and policies. Among other items, this may include:
- Work clothing - such as coveralls and steel-capped footwear
- Eye protection - such as safety glasses and face masks
- Ear protection - such as earmuffs and earplugs
- Hand protection - such as rubber gloves and barrier cream
- Respiratory equipment - such as face masks and valved respirators
If you are not certain what is appropriate or required, ask your supervisor.
Safety check
- Mix any detergents according to manufacturer specifications.
- Keeping cleaners and solvents in workshop quantities can be a safety hazard, and so can disposing of impregnated cleaning cloths and product residues, unless correct procedures are followed. You should always follow MSDS, HAZMAT and other related product information when storing any hazardous material. For instance, there may be a limit on the amount of materials that may be kept a container/cupboard of a particular size, or there may be ventilation requirements.
- Consult your local legislative authority to get information on what you may and may not do in relation to the storage of hazardous materials.
- Cleaning chemicals and detergents are a potential environmental hazard. Make sure that the area used for washing and detailing a vehicle meets all local environmental regulations, particularly in regard to preventing contaminants from flowing into storm water drainage systems. Ideally, waste run-off should be collected in underground grease traps and treated before disposal.
- Use the recommended polishing cloth for the polish being used, and do not rub too hard when polishing the vehicle, so you do not damage the paintwork.
- It is important not to damage or tear the vehicle floor drain plugs (or ‘bungs’) during removal or installation as this can allow water in from the outside of the vehicle during rain or snow. The effect of this may not be immediately noticeable, however, over time, the gradual ingress of water can cause the carpets to rot and in extreme cases can cause the floor pan to rust out.
- Some wheel covers simply pry off, some only come off when the wheel nuts are undone; so if you do need to remove them, carefully check the method of removal for the vehicle you are working on. If the wheel nuts have to be removed, make sure you use the correct safety procedures when loosening the nuts and raising the vehicle prior to removing them.
- Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following tasks. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.
Points to note
- Cleaning chemicals and detergents are a potential environmental hazard. Make sure that the area used for washing and detailing a vehicle meets all local environmental regulations, particularly in regard to preventing contaminants from flowing into storm water drainage systems.
- In this example, at a vehicle dealership, the waste run-off is collected in underground grease traps (below the metal cover plates) and treated before disposal.
- Use the proper polishing cloth; otherwise you could damage the paintwork.
- When polishing the vehicle, do not rub too hard.
- Some products can only be used in particular applications and so it is important that you select the correct product for the task. If you are unsure you should always seek advice from your supervisor.
- Carpets
- There are usually two different types of carpet in a vehicle interior. The first of these are floor mats which are used as “carpet protectors” and take most of the wear from passengers’ feet. The second is the vehicle carpet itself which is normally fitted in the vehicle before the seats and center console and trim is installed. This carpet is there for its aesthetic effect, but it also provides a sound deadening covering layer between the passenger and the vehicle floor.
- Wheels and tires
- Steel wheels normally have decorative wheel covers which are made of plastic or resin and are easy to clean with a brush and soapy water. The covers do not usually need to be removed for cleaning.
- Magnesium or aluminum alloy wheels do not have covers. If they are very dirty they will need to be cleaned with a special solution prior to normal washing. As there are many different products on the market make sure that you read and follow the correct application instructions.
- A finishing product such as “tire black” or “tire shine” can be applied to the tires. This can be applied by pressure pack spray or by hand with a brush dependent on the product. Choose an appropriate finishing product based on the type and durability of finish you want.
- Dashboards
- Dashboards and instrument panel covers can be severely affected by ultra-violet rays and extreme cold and it is common to use protective agents on them. There are a range of products on the market and the instructions on the packs should be carefully read as the different products are not suitable for use on all materials. Never use such materials on steering wheels or pedal rubbers as they can remain slippery for some time and can be dangerous in operation as a result.
- Carpets and cloth upholstery
- There are many cleaning and solvent based products for removing carpet and upholstery stains. Always follow the product information when applying such products as the different dyes used in carpets and fabrics can run as a result of the product use. Therefore you should always test for “colour fastness” in an unseen part of the carpet or fabric to ensure that the dye will not run when subjected to the cleaning material.
- Leather upholstery
- Leather vehicle interiors and seats can be severely affected by ultra-violet rays and it is common to use protective agents on them. They are easier to clean than fabric seats as dirt generally sits on the surface of the leather - provided it has not been damaged. There are a range of products on the market and the instructions on the packs should be carefully read as the materials in different products may not be suitable for use in all locations on the vehicle.
- Vehicle body tar
- Solvent products for removing tar from a vehicle body are all very similar. The important thing is to use a product that will remove the amount of tar adhering to the body without affecting the paint surface. Again, read the manufacturer’s instructions on the product very carefully, and follow them.
Part 2: Step-by-step instruction
- Wash and degrease
Pressure clean the outside of the vehicle thoroughly with plain water to remove all loose dust and street dirt. Wash under the wheel arches and inside the engine compartment. Mix the degreaser concentrate as recommended by the manufacturer. Spray the diluted degreaser all over the outside of the vehicle, including the road wheels and under the wheel arches. Let it work on the paintwork for a minute or so, to soften hardened or baked-on dirt and grease. Rinse the degreaser off with water using a pressure cleaner.
If there are any signs of contaminants still on the paintwork, re-apply the degreaser, then wash it off again. You may need to carry out these steps a number of times until the contaminants soften and are rinsed away. Ensure that all the degreaser solution has been thoroughly rinsed off.
Do not scratch the contaminant off with a scraper as this could easily damage the painted surface.
- Hand wash with suds solution
Ensure the detergent concentrate has been mixed according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Start at the top of the vehicle and work down. Do not rub the surface hard, and use your other hand to feel for the smoothness of the paint surface.
Allow the detergent to work on the paintwork for a minute or so before rinsing. Rinse off the detergent suds with fresh water.
- Dry the vehicle
Use two chamois cloths for drying - one for the paintwork, and the second for the road wheels and wheel arches. After drying off the water, check around the vehicle and clean off any water that may have come away from vehicle gutters and crevices. Dry inside all the door jams, in the boot and any other location where water could seep. If you find any spots of dirt still attached to the paint surface, gently remove them with a clean rag and a little kerosene.
- Hand polish the vehicle
Use a piece of new, thin soft foam rubber to apply the polish. Apply the liquid polish using a very light circular rubbing action. Do not rub hard as this can score the paint surface.
Using a soft cotton flannelette, remove the polish. It is a good idea to have a similar cloth in each hand. In this way, while you polish with one hand, you can lean on the vehicle to support yourself with the other hand without leaving greasy handprints. You can also swap polishing hands quickly if one gets tired. Check along the vehicle to ensure you have removed all the polish and that no imperfections show up in the paint or the panels.
- Clean all other surfaces
If there are any stickers on the glass area that should not remain there, remove them carefully with a razor blade, dampening them first if necessary.
Using glass cleaner spray, carefully clean all the glass surfaces on the vehicle. Use a large wad of rolled up soft paper to clean the glass surfaces. As the paper becomes dirty and wet, tear off the outer layers to reveal clean, dry paper again.
Clean and brush the tires with a suitable solution that will protect the rubber, and enhance its appearance. Wipe off any excess solution from the paintwork or wheels.
- Clean floor mats and carpets
Remove the floor mats and always clean them outside the vehicle. Vacuum the mats to remove loose dust and grit. Use an approved carpet cleaner and spray evenly over the mat. Using a clean, soft cloth, work the cleaner into the carpet and blot any residue.
- Detail the interior
Remove all interior containers for cleaning, noting their locating device. Spray an appropriate cleaner onto the dashboard and instrument panel and wipe clean using a soft, clean cloth before leaving the area to ‘cure’. Never use dashboard cleaners on steering wheels or pedal rubbers as they can remain slippery for some time.
Clean and replace interior containers. You should hear the locating device click into place as it locates itself.
On fabric seats, spray an appropriate fabric cleaner directly onto the seat. Massage the cleaner into the stain and allow it to stand for a few minutes and massage the stain again.
Remove any excess cleaner with a damp absorbent cloth and allow the seat to dry before vacuuming. Repeat the process if necessary.
On leather seats, apply an appropriate cleaner using a soft clean cloth and rub gently into the leather.
Leave the cleaned leather to ‘cure’ to form a protective layer on the seat and help protect it from further stains.
- Clean sunroof glass
If the sunroof is a fixed type, unclip and remove or slide back any shades or roof linings that cover the inside of the sunroof.
Using the operation lever or the operation mechanism control, open the roof.
Clean the glass on the sunroof using a recommended cleaning agent.
Check and clean the channels on the vehicle that the sunroof locates in and ensure the drains are clear and able to take excess water away from the roof channel.
